A New Chapter for SCIAC
The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) will once again showcase its competitive spirit in the 2026 NCAA Division III football season, as eight member institutions battle for the conference title. The schedule runs from September through January, giving teams ample time to fine‑tune strategies and build momentum toward the postseason.
Competition is split between the Sun Division and the Surf Division, with California Lutheran, Redlands and Claremont‑Mudd‑Scripps representing the Sun, while Chapman, Pomona‑Pitzer, La Verne and Whittier compete in the Surf. Chapman enters the season as the defending champion, but the balance of power appears poised for a shake‑up.
One of the most anticipated storylines involves Azusa Pacific University, which is making its return to SCIAC football after a two‑year hiatus caused by the 2020 pandemic pause. The Aztecs are slated to debut in NCAA Division III, bringing a renewed sense of optimism to a program that last competed at the Division II level.
Whittier College is also set to re‑enter the SCIAC football picture after a three‑year absence, adding another layer of intrigue to the Surf Division race. Both schools are expected to bring fresh energy and depth to a conference that has traditionally been dominated by a handful of perennial contenders.
Key players who will likely influence the outcome include Azusa Pacific’s junior running back Aaron Mitchell, who amassed 623 rushing yards in his sophomore season and previously posted 879 yards at Golden West College. California Lutheran’s quarterback Joe Farley, a junior who started all ten games last year, threw for 1,759 yards and nine touchdowns while leading the SCIAC in passing.
Defensively, Chapman’s senior linebacker Andrew Buck anchored the Panthers with 81 tackles and ranked second in the conference with nine tackles for loss, while Claremont‑Mudd‑Scripps’ senior linebacker George Kruger topped the league with 112 total tackles, highlighted by a safety in the final game of the previous season.
La Verne’s senior cornerback Jomar Brown earned First Team All‑SCIAC honors after a breakout junior year, ranking second in the conference in tackles and interceptions. Pomona‑Pitzer’s defensive lineman Alden Kling led the league in tackles for loss with 19.5 for 72 yards and recorded 6.5 sacks in the first ten games, establishing himself as a disruptive force up front.
Redlands’ sophomore running back Mark Mitchell III was recognized as the SCIAC Newcomer of the Year after pacing the conference with 527 rushing yards, a performance that could prove pivotal for the Bulldogs’ offensive scheme. Meanwhile, Whittier’s junior quarterback Jayden McKey, who previously led the Bulldogs at Redlands with 681 yards and three touchdowns, is expected to bring veteran poise to the team’s passing attack.
With the season’s schedule set to unfold over the next few months, coaches and players alike are focusing on building chemistry and executing game plans that can translate into playoff eligibility. The blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers promises a competitive and unpredictable campaign, keeping SCIAC football fans eagerly anticipating each weekend’s action.